Inclusion
Approach to diversity, equity and inclusion
Social Scaffolding is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion as a collective and with our artist, intern, partner and audience stakeholders.
The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities and talent that all stakeholders invest in our work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and achievement as well.
We embrace and encourage our stakeholders’ differences in age, colour, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our stakeholders unique.
Social Scaffolding’s diversity initiatives are applicable to our selection of interns and other artists; professional development and training and the ongoing development of a work environment built on the premise of gender and diversity equity that encourages and enforces:
Respectful communication and cooperation between all stakeholders.
Teamwork and stakeholder participation, permitting the representation of all groups and perspectives.
Work/life balance through flexible work schedules to accommodate our varying needs.
All stakeholders contributions to the communities we serve to promote a greater understanding and respect for diversity.
As artists and interns of Social Scaffolding, we have a responsibility to treat others with dignity and respect at all times. We’re expected to exhibit conduct that reflects inclusion during all aspects of our work. We will arrange awareness training for the artists and interns to enhance our knowledge to fulfil this responsibility.
We will monitor all stakeholders’ conduct and behaviour and take seriously any allegations of any kind of discrimination that conflicts with Social Scaffolding’s diversity policy. In the first instance any stakeholders with any issues should seek assistance from Alyson Minkley.
We’re actively working with local organisations: Bricks Bristol, Culture Weston, Gloucester Culture Trust, SMart, Somerset Art Works & WEVAA to identify, contact & best serve diverse & underrepresented audiences. Our work aims to be accessible for all ages & abilities. Pop-up venues attract non-traditional audiences from passers-by, widening arts participation. Invited sessions for targeted community groups & young people will complement an open-door policy, enabling a wide range of visitors to explore being creative.
Approach to child protection and safeguarding of vulnerable adults:
We are committed to the safe welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults in all the work we do, both in person and online. Alyson has a DBS on the update service and current Safeguarding and Prevent training.
She will be present with all vulnerable groups until the other artists and interns also have DBS certificates and suitable training.